2002 Ford Escape complaints

FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 45,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED. *JB

2002 FORD ESCAPE WITH 36,000 MILES ON IT. I HAD THE FRONT BRAKES SURVIVED FOR THE FIRST TIME ON THIS CAR AND FOUND THAT ROTORS CANNOT BE TURNED EVEN ONE TIME ON THESE CARS WITHOUT BRINGING IT BELOW SPECS. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH ROTORS AT A COST OF $199.00. I COMPLAINED TO FORD ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS PART OF NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE NEVER OWNED CAR THAT HAD TO HAVE ROTORS REPLACED WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE BEFORE I DO NOT ACCEPT THIS IS A NORMAL SITUATION. IT IS A CASE OF FORD PUTTING CHEAP THROW AWAY PARTS IN CARS AND NOT DISCLOSING THIS INFORMATION TO BUYERS AT THE TIME THEY PURCHASE THE CAR. *JB

TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR DOOR LATCHES AND/OR ELECTRIC LOCKS HAVE FAILED SUCH THAT THE DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. FIRST THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $400.00 NOW THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS. THIS COULD BE A CONSIDERABLE SAFETY RISK IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. *JB

VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED 3 TIMES FOR SAFETY DEFECTS. AT 25000 MILES I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ROTORS. IT IS TOO EARLY FOR THIS TO BE OCCURRING AND HAVE FOUND INFORMATION THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMPLAINT THAT HAS BEEN FREQUENT ON THIS CAR MAKE. THEY REPLACED THE ECCELLERATOR CABLE AND NOW THE CAR SEEMS TO BE SLUGGISH IN ECCELLERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION.*AK

AIRBAG/RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LAMP IS ON. INITIALLY, IT FLASHED FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS, THEN REMAINED ON. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO FORD DEALER FOR THIS CONDITION ON FOUR PREVIOUS OCCASIONS. PREVIOUSLY DIAGNOSED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND REPORTEDLY REPAIRED, BUT THE PROBLEM RETURNS IN 3 TO 9 MONTHS. UNKNOWN WHETHER AIRBAG AND RESTRAINT SYSTEM WOULD PROPERLY DEPLOY IN A COLLISION.*JB

VEHICLE HAD A SOUND WHEN BEING DRIVEN. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO SEE WHERE THE SOUND WAS COMING FROM. DEALER DISCOVERED THAT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, BRAKES, AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID WOULD FREEZE UP IN THE HOSES. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CLEAN THE DIRT AND DEBRIS OFF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD, THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *JB

VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO OFFERED LITTLE TO THE SOLUTION. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TWO PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE ON TWO SEPARATED OCCASIONS. FIRST, VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTARTED, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. SECONDLY, WHILE TRAVELING VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. AFTERWARDS VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON BOTH OCCASIONS. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT A HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT, AND THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE SNAPPED. THE HEAD GASKET, AND SPEED CONTROL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE WITH 9,000 MILES HAS A TENDENCY TO STALL WHILE COASTING AT AN EXTREMELY LOW SPEED. HITTING A SLIGHT SPEED BUMP IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MOST OF THE OCCURRENCES. MY VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT LEAST 12 TIMES DURING THE LAST 4 WEEKS. THE PROBLEM MAY BE RELATED TO AN INFREQUENT TENDENCY OF A DEAD INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN STARTING WITH A KEY. IF I GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND GET BACK IN, IT WILL EVENTUALLY START EXCEPT FOR ONE TIME WHEN IT HAD TO BE TOWED. BUT, MY COMPLAINT IS THE STALLING PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN FIXING ANYTHING AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT STALLED ON THEM AS WELL. WHILE NOBODY HAS HIT MY DEAD VEHICLE YET, IT IS A CONCERN. THUS FAR, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ABLE TO RESTART AFTER STALLING, IT IS NOT AN EASY RESTART. THE STALLING HAS MOSTLY OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN 3-6 MILES AND SLOWED FOR PARKING PURPOSES AND STALLS WHEN I SHARPELY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL FOR PARKING. THERE IS A LITTLE SPEED BUMP 20 FEET FROM MY PARKING SLOT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I JUST WISH MY VEHICLE WOULD IDLE FASTER. *AK

I-4 ENGINE (38K MI)- THROTTLE STICKS IN CLOSED POSITION. THROTTLE CABLE IS OKAY, BUT THROTTLE PLATE WILL STICK IN THROTTLE BORE IN AN UNPREDICTABLE MANNER, RESULTING IN INCONSISTENT PEDAL EFFORTS / PERFORMANCE. SPORADIC THROTTLE PERFORMANCE RESULTS IN OCCASIONAL SUDDEN ACCELERATION DURING LOW SPEED MANUVERS AS THROTTLE BECOMES "UNSTUCK" FROM CLOSED POSITION. DIFFICULT TO ANTICIOPATE BEHAVIOUR IN PARKING LOT MANUVERS HAS RESULTED IN DRIVER AVOIDING USE OF VEHICLE WHENEVER POSSIBLE.*AK

3 YEARS OLD, 60,000 MILES - TRANSMISSION HAS COMPLETELY BLOWN. ITS IN THE SHOP CURRENTLY. THE OIL PAN IS LEAKING. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING IS LEAKING FLUID. *JB

FRONT END TROUBLES WITH FORD ESCAPE 02 XLT. CONSTANT NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT. DEALER CHANGED STABILITY BAR, ENGINE MOUNTS AND NOW NEED TO CHANGE TIE RODS AND FIX STEERING WHEEL NOISE BUT THERE IS NO FIX AS OF YET PER THE DEALERSHIP. CAR IS ONLY DRIVEN ON SUBURBAN ROADS AND NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD.*AK

THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE WITH ONLY 37000 MILES RECENTLY BECAME LOOSE WHILE I WAS DRIVING.THE VEHICLE'S 36000 MILE WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP (COWLES PARKWAY FORD) TO GET AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIRS, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW STEERING COLUMN (A $400+ COST). BEFORE MAKING A DECISION I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 630120). THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE 2001 FORD ESCAPE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 00V223001 )BUT NOT THE 2002 MODEL. I WAS TOLD BY SOMEONE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, BUT I WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND WOULD HAVE TO PAY $400+ TO GET IT FIXED. I ALSO HAVE CALLED FORD COSTUMER SERVICE AND WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY ARE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS BECAUSE I HAD EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART.I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE OTHER FORD ESCAPE ON THE HIGHWAYS WITH THIS SAME SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEED TO BE RECALLED. THANK YOU. MICHAEL ESTES . *AK

WHILE DRIVING. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS. CONSUMER CANNOT MAKE A SMOOTH ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT, YOU HAVE TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL SO FAR UNTIL IT GIVES, THEN THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD, AND THE TIRES SPIN. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE REPAIR. WAS TOLD THE THROTTLE BODY HAS TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NM

I OWN A 2002 FORD ESCAPE WITH 42,600 MILES. MY PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS A SPONGY BRAKE PEDAL AT FIRST, THEN PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, AND THEN YOU GET A PULSATING, GRINDING NOISE IN THE FRONT BRAKES AND ALSO IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. ROTORS ARE NEW; BRAKES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION, NO BRAKE FLUID LEAKS. BRAKES WERE BLED WITH NO CHANGE IN PROBLEM. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS SUCKING AIR. *JB

FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES. *JB

RESTRAINT SYSTEM - AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CONTINUALLY ON, POTENTIAL FAILURE OF AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED DETERMINED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

THE ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO STOP WHILE PUMPING THE BRAKE THREE TIMES, AND DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE SENSOR HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED SIX TIMES. *JB

DRIVING WESTBOUND APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR, ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNED LEFT IN FRONT OF ME RESULTING IN FRONT END DAMAGE TO MY CAR. SUSTAINED WHIPLASH, TREATED AT HOSPITAL AND RELEASED. CONTINUING CARE WITH PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY DIRECTLY TO REPORT AIRBAG NON-DEPLOYMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE CHECKED AFTER VEHICLE REPAIRS ARE MADE AND RESULTS SENT DIRECTLY TO FORD AT MY COST. FORD THEN REFERRED THE COMPLAINT TO THEIR LEGAL DEPARTMENT. SITUATION CURRENTLY ONGOING. *NM

WHILE DRIVING UNDER 40 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL BE REAR ENDED.

2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT, 51000 MILES. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CD4E. OWNER'S MANUAL AND INFORMATION FROM FORD STATES THAT ONLY MERCON TRANSMISSION FLUID IS TO BE USED, AND THAT USE OF MERCON V TRANSMISSION FLUID WILL DAMAGE TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, COVER ON TRANSMISSION DIP STICK SAYS "USE MERCON V." DEALER FLUSHED TRANSMISSION AT 32000 MILES AND REPLACED WITH MERCON V FLUID. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 51000 MILES, REQUIRING COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION. FAILURE HAPPENED DURING FREEWAY DRIVING, BUT FORTUNATELY TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND WE WERE ABLE TO COAST OUT OF TRAFFIC SAFELY. HE DEALER SHOULD HAVE KNOW WHAT KIND OF TRANSMISSION FLUID TO USE, REGARDLESS OF INCORRECT STATEMENT ON DIP STICK CAP. HOWEVER, THE MISLEADING DIP STICK COULD CAUSE THE OWNER OR OTHERS TO USE INCORRECT TYPE OF FLUID, WITH POTENTIAL TO CAUSE COMPLETE TRANMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING.*AK

AFTER DRIVING THE ESCAPE FOR A FEW HOURS...RUNNING ERRANDS AND WHAT NOT...WE PARK THE CAR FOR A SHORT TIME...THEN THE CAR WON'T START. IT WILL TURN OVER, BUT IF THE GAS ISN'T KEPT ON IT STALLS. HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO THE DEALER 4 TIMES NOW AND THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE SITUATION. USUALLY AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR SEVERAL HOURS, IT WILL START UP AND RUN FINE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR TWO MONTHS NOW. *JB

VEHICLE STALLS WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE REGULARLY AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN DRIVING AND PUT INTO DRIVE. UNTIL RECENTLY WAS ABLE TO RESTART ALMOST IMMEDIATELY. UPON LAST STALL WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART AND VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. THIS IS STILL OCCURRING AFTER THE SAFETY RECALL 04S13, AND A FLIGHT RECORDER WITH 4 RECORDINGS OF REVERSE STALLS LED TO REPLACEMENT OF IAC VALVE, MASS AIR SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, EEC RELAY, DPFE SENSOR, AND A RESET OF KEEP ALIVE MEMORY. THE MOST RECENT STALL THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND REMAINS AT THE DEALER UNTIL THEY CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG OR MAKE ANOTHER GUESS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING AND SEEMS TO BE PROGRESSING SINCE SHORTLY AFTER VEHICLE PURCHASE.*AK

STEERING COLUMN. HIS VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND THE STEERING COLUMN COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE DASH. I AM UNAWARE IF THIS CAUSED FURTHER INJURY TO THE OPERATOR. I AM A LICENSED AUTO DAMAGE APPRAISER AND THOUGHT THIS TO BE VERY UNUSUAL AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE.*AK

2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT, 51,000 MILES. DURING FREEWAY DRIVING, O/D LOCKOUT INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED FLASHING. TRANSMISSION BRIEFLY ACTED AS IF IT WAS SHIFTING BETWEEN NEUTRAL AND DRIVE, THEN IT FAILED COMPLETELY. TOWED TO FORD DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. FORD DEALER SAYS TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT HAS NOT DIAGNOSED CAUSE OF FAILURE. FROM RESEARCHING USER FORUMS ON THE INTERNET, I'VE LEARNED THAT FORD ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (OASIS #16717) IN MARCH 2003 ADVISING THAT THE PCM BE REPROGRAMED TO CORRECT A TRANSMISSION SHUDDER PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS TO BE A PRECURSOR TO TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PCM REPROGRAMING IS ALSO REQUIRED BY SAFETY RECALL 04S13, ISSUED APRIL 2004. I WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THIS RECALL WORK DONE BY THE DEALER, BUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED BEFORE RECALL WORK WAS DONE. FROM READING USER REPORTS ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS THAT TANSMISSION FAILURE AT 50-60,000 MILES IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR 2001-2003 ESCAPES WITH A CD4E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AT LEAST FOR ONES WHICH HAVE NOT HAD THE PCM REPROGRAMED AS CALLED FOR IN THE 2003 SERVICE BULLETIN OR THE 2004 SAFETY RECALL.*AK

WENT IN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP IN GARDEN GROVE, CA. I WAS GETTING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A COMPLETE BRAKE OVERHALL. I BALKED AT THE SUGGESTION OF THE FORD ASSOCIATE. I STATED "MY ESCAPE ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT AND YOUR TELLING ME IT NEEDS NEW ROTORS, PADS ON THE FRONT, AND SHOES AND DRUMS IN THE REAR". HE LOOKED STRAIGHT AT ME AND SAID YES YOU DO. I WENT HOME TOOK OFF THE TIRE AND DISCOVERED IT TO BE TRUE.. THE BRAKES ON MY 2002 ESCAPE ARE WORN OUT AFTER 23,000 MILES. WHAT KIND OF GARBAGE IS THAT. I'M NOT HARD ON MY BRAKES EITHER. IF I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM AGAIN AT 43,000 MILES I AM GOING TO BE VERY PISSED OFF. IF IT DOES HAPPEN. I WILL BE TRADING IT IN, AND IT WON'T BE FOR ANOTHER FORD.*AK

WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. CONSUMER STATED THAT ENGINE ROARED. HAD TO STEP ON THE BRAKES WITH GREAT PRESSURE AND IT STILL HAPPENED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 3 OCCASIONS, AND EACH TIME, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, WHO DENIED OF THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER SENT AN ENGINEER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, AND WHILE IN HIS POSSESSION, THE PROBLEM DID NOT DUPLICATE ITSELF. *AK

COMPLAINT REGARDING 2002 FORD ESCAPE.*MR THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE, SKIP AND CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED A PART WHICH THE MANUFACTURER INDICATED WAS THE LATEST FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THE PART DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HESITATE E, SKIP AND STALL. *NM

WE DRIVE A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. IT IS DRIVEN BY BOTH MY HUSBAND (BILL) AND MYSELF. WHILE DRIVING WE STOPPED IN FRONT OF A RESTAURANT TO EAT. WE PULLED INTO PARKING PLACE, FOOT ON BRAKE TO STOP AND CAR SUDDENLY ACCELLERATED AND WE ALMOST WENT INTO THE RESTAURANT WINDOW. MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO HOLD THE CAR BACK BY USING A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE. HE THEN REACHED DOWN AND TURNED THE KEY OFF. WE HAVE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE ON 4 SEPARTE OCCASSIONS AND HAD THE CAR IN THE GARAGE ON 6 OCCASSIONS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS 4 WEEKS AGO. I WAS DRIVING. I PULLED INTO A PARKING PLACE, HAD MY HAND ON THE GEAR SHIFT TO PUT INTO PARK WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELLERATED. I WAS NOT ABLE TO PUT AS MUCH PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE AS MY HUSBAND AND WENT INTO A PLATE GLASS WINDOW OF A RESTAURANT THAT FORTUNATELY WAS NOT OPEN AND BEING REMODELED. I DID $4,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND THE RESTAURANT IS CLAIMING $30,000 DAMAGE TO THEIR BUILDING. AGAIN WE HAD IT IN THE GARAGE. THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. WE HAVE HEARD FROM FORD THAT THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS SOONER OR LATER, WHEN IT HAPPENS, SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT. WE ARE JUST LOOKING FOR A CAR THAT WORKS PROPERLY. OTHER TIMES WHEN DRIVING ALONG IT WOULD ACCELLERATE ON ITS OWN BUT THEN CUT BACK. MOST OFTEN WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE FOR SOME REASON. FORD GARAGE CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG AND FORD CO. CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT SO THEY

2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT HAS STALLED WITHOUT WARNING TWICE. ONCE AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND THE OTHER AT 10 MPH. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP (COWLES FORD, WOODBRIDGE, VA) SINCE MY FIRST MAINTENANCE CHECK ABOUT MY ESCAPE HESITATING/SKIPPING. DOES NOT SEEMS TO BE GETTING THE PROPER GAS. FIRST COUPLE OF MAINTENANCE CHECK MECHANIC SAID HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW, 2 1/2 YEARS LATER, THEY KEEP REPLACING SMALL PARTS THAT DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT SHOW UP ON DIANOSTICS TEST NOR ON THE VEHICLE COMPUTER. I HAVE COMPLAINED SINCE THE FIRST ENGINE STALL (40 MPH) THAT MY ESCAPE IS A SAFETY HAZARD. AGAIN I HAVE TOLD THE DEALERSHIP MY SUV IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE I HAVE NO ADVANCED WARNING WHEN THE MOTOR WILL CUT OFF. I HAVE EMAILED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO HIGH MANAGEMENT AT FORD IN MICHEGAN BUT HAVE YET TO EVEN GET AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF MY COMPLAINT. FORD SEEMS TO BE SO WILLING TO LET CUSTOMERS BE INJURED OR KILLED IN THEIR PRODUCTS. ON FELT LIKE A "VALUABLE FORD CUSTOMER" BEFORE I SIGNED ON THE DOTTED LINE AND AFTER THAT I FEEL LIKE A "VICTIM". SHAME ON FORD.*AK

DRIVERS SEAT MOVES FOWARD APPROX 1/2" ON ACCELERATION AND STOPPING. VEHICLE HAS NOISE POSSIBLE BEARING, TRANSMISSION, OR DRIVESHAFT LIKE A LOPE AS IF SOMETHING WAS OUT OF ROUND OR HAS A HIGH SPOT. IT IS NOT THE TIRES.*AK

VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE POLICE GARAGE WAITING TO BE INVESTIGATED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY, PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE VEHICLE TO RETRIEVE HER MAIL AND GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOWN AND PROCEED TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED, NOT EVEN BY APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A GARAGE WALL, THROUGH A UTILITY ROOM AND CAME OUT THE BACK OF THE HOUSE AND HIT A SMALL TREE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, NOTICED THAT STEERING WHEEL WAS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO TURN. AFTER PARKING VEHICLE, NOTICED THAT STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING ONTO THE GROUND. THIS IS THE 5TH REPAIR INCIDENT INVOLVING THIS VEHICLE WITH THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. FORD DEALER AND FORD REP. CLAIM THE PROBLEM IS FIXED EACH TIME, BUT CONTINUES TO OCCUR EVERY 6-9 MONTHS. *JB

2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT - 38,000 MILES. RADIO TURNED OFF BY ITSELF, DASHBOARD GAGES ILLUMINATED AND THEN CAR DIED. CAR WAS ABLE TO BE RE-STARTED BUT THEN DIED SHORTLY AFTER. FORD HAS DETERMINED THAT THE ALTERNATOR HAS BLOWN. AS 38,000 IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD, THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD CORPORATE HAS DECLINED PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS. FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, IT SEEMS THAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED SO EARLY IN THE VEHICLES LIFE. OF COURSE CONSIDERING THE MANY, MANY ISSUES I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT WERE COVERED I GUESS I SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED. AS A SIDE NOTE, I SUPPLY COMPONENTS TO THE AUTOMOTIVE OEM'S INCLUDING FORD. THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT A FORD. AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE AND SEEING HOW FORD WORKS INTERNALLY I DON'T THINK I WILL EVER BE ABLE TO BUY ONE AGAIN. ALAN GOLDENSTEIN. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED. WI DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

INTERMINTANT SCREECHING NOISE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DEALER REPLACED DRIVE BELT, STATING DRIVE BELT HAD GLAZE; FIXED 12/2003 PROBLEM HAS REOCCURED 08/2004. *AK

2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT STALLING (2 TIMES) AND HESITATING AND ENGINE SKIPPING. COMPLAINED ABOUT ENGINE PROBLEMS FOR 2 YEARS. ENGINE STALLED AT 40 MPH AND TOLD THE DEALERSHIP MY SUV WAS NOW A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THE MOTOR CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT 40 MPH. THEY REPLACED WHAT THEY SAID WAS FORD'S LATEST PART FOR THIS PROBLEM AND I HAVE SINCE HAD ANOTHER CUT OFF AT 10 MPH. THERE SEEMS TO BE LITTLE EFFORT AND NO CONCERN FROM FORD ABOUT MY VEHICLES SAFETY PROBLEM. YOU WOULD THINK FORD HAS LEARNED A LESSON FOR IGNORING SAFETY PROBLEMS!!! WHEN I BOUT MY SUV I WAS LED TO BELIEVE I WAS FORDS MOST IMPORTANT CUSTOMER AND THEY WOULD STAND BEHIND WHAT THEY SALE. FOR SURE I AM NOT A VALUABLE CUSTOMER AND THEY ARE NOT STANDING BEHIND WHAT I THOUGHT WAS AN OUTSTANDING PRODUCT.*AK

PASSENGER REAR DOOR WAS LOCKED SHUT. WOULD NOT OPEN MANUALLY OR OTHERWISE. I HAD PROBLEM REPAIRED (STILL UNDER WARRANTY), BUT NOW I THINK THE OTHER REAR DOOR AND THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS STARTING TO NOT OPEN ON THE FIRST TRY AND THIS IS VERY FRUSTERATING AND UNSETTLING. *AK

THIS CONCERNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE WITH 10,700 MILES ON IT. I WAS TRAVELING DOWN A VERY SLIGHT GRADE AT LESS THAN 20 MPH ON A CLEAR DAY APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE CAR DID NOT STOP. INSTEAD, THE FRONT OF THE CAR JUST STARTED TO UNCONTROLLABLY JUMP, BOUNCE AND HOP UP AND DOWN. SINCE THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN, I APPLIED THE BRAKES AGAIN AND IT CONTINUED TO UNCONTROLLABLY BOUNCE UP AND DOWN. THERE WAS A CAR CROSSING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION IN FRONT OF ME DRIVEN BY A MOTHER WITH HER YOUNG CHILD IN THE CAR. IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THAT CAR, I STEERED MY BOUNCING CAR TO THE RIGHT, OFF THE ROAD, AND INTO A LIGHT POLE TO STOP IT. THE MOTHER WITH HER 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, WHO WITNESSED THE WHOLE EVENT, PULLED OVER TO SEE IF I WAS OK AND THANKED ME FOR NOT KILLING THEM. I HAVE HER NAME AND NUMBER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THIS CAR AND I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO EVER DRIVE IT AGAIN LEST I KILL OR MAIM MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. DIRECTLY MANY TIMES, BUT THEY GAVE ME THE RUNAROUND. THEY SAID THE ANTILOCK BRAKING DID NOT NEED TO BE CHECKED. WHEN MY INSURANCE COMPANY, NATIONWIDE, BECAME INVOLVED FORD SAID THAT I SHOULD NOW DEAL WITH THEM, NATIONWIDE. NATIONWIDE IS NOW PAYING TO HAVE MY CAR REPAIRED, BUT SAID THAT THERE IS NO NEED TO CHECK THE BRAKING SYSTEM BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, IT IS MY FAULT AND ALL THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT IS RAISE MY INSURANCE PREMIUM. THIS IS T

HAD BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING; CHECKED THE NHTSA SERVICE BULLETINS AND FOUND A BULLETIN FROM JUNE 1, 2003 NOTING THIS SAME PROBLEM; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ON AGAIN; I MADE AN APPT AT DEALER TO CHECK OUT THESE ISSUES (4/7/04). TOOK VEHICLE IN ON 4/9/04. DEALER FOUND THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE THE WIRING FOR THE HORN WAS PULLED OUT AND RUBBING ON THE CONTACT PLATE; ADDITIONAL NOISE FOUND AT LOWER END OF STEERING COLUMN DEALER DEACTIVATED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL AND CONTACT; ALSO FOUND THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN BOOT, WHICH HAD TO BE ORDERED AT THE SAME TIME, A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE; DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FROM 4/9 - 4/14 AND DEALER HAD TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR STEERING COLUMN BOOT WAS ORDERED AND I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE DEALER ON 4/23/04 TO HAVE THEM INSTALL IT. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER ON THE 23RD, I REALIZED THAT MY HORN, CRUISE CONTROL AND LEFT BRAKE LIGHT WERE ALL INOPERABLE, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE DEALER ON 4/26/04. DEALER FOUND THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WAS NOT MAKING CONTACT, SO THEY HAD TO DEACTIVATE THE AIRBAG AGAIN TO REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING; FOR THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT, THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE BULB ELEMENT VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALER FOR TWO DAYS AND THE

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN! AVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE WHILE DRIVING; IT WILL SURGE AND BUCK. T IDLE, VEHICLE WOULD NOT ADVANCE FORWARD ONCE FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM BRAKE. OOK VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER; DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MONITOR SENSOR AGAIN!*AK

(1) CE LIGHT ON AGAIN (2) VEHICLE NOT IDLING NORMALLY (3) VEHICLE NOT ADVANCING FROM STOP (4) SMELL BURNING OIL FROM ENGINE WHEN SHUT OFF, NO VISIBLE OIL LEAK FOUND ON DRIVEWAY (5) RATTLING FROM LF OF THE VEHICLE; SPEED OF RATTLING DIRECTLY RELATED TO SPEED OF VEHICLE; STARTS AROUND 25 MPH. (6) DRIVER'S SEAT LURCHES FORWARD ON SEAT TRACK WHEN BRAKING; ONLY OCCURS WITH LIGHTER WEIGHT DRIVERS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE 30K MILE CHECK & TO HAVE THEM ADDRESS THE ISSUES. DEALER DID THE FOLLOWING - ISSUES 1-4: ENGINE COVERED IN OIL UPON INSPECTION (SECOND OIL LEAK); LEAK COMING FROM THE FRONT COVER & OIL PAN; DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT COVER GASKET, OIL PAN GASKET, VALVE COVER GASKETS, UPPER INTAKE GASKETS, & OIL FILTER; DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER MONITOR SENSOR AGAIN (THIRD TIME). ISSUE 5: DEALER DID NOT HEAR NOISE COMING FROM LF OF VEHICLE; HEARD A NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE; REAR LIFT DOOR LATCH LOOSE; ADJUSTED/OILED IT. ISSUE 6: DEALER COMPARED PROBLEM WITH OTHER ESCAPES; FOUND TO BE A NORMAL CONDITION OF POWER DRIVER'S SEAT TO HAVE SOME PLAY IN IT (THIS IS VERY UNSAFE; SEAT LURCHES FORWARD 1-2IN WHEN BRAKING; I'M A SHORT FEMALE WHO STRUGGLES TO SIT A MIN OF 10IN FROM THE SW FOR THE AB; MOVING ME FORWARD ANOTHER 1-2IN IN A CRASH IS NOT SAFE). DEALER FOUND FRONT BRAKE PADS/ROTORS BELOW SPECS; STATED THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR 30K MILES; SEEMS TOO SOON. SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FILED TO NHTSA REGARDING EXCESSIVE BRAKE/ROTOR WEAR. VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP 7/16-7/23. DEALER

CDS WERE REPEATEDLY STICKING IN THE 6-DISC CD CHANGER; STICKING IN ALL SIX SLOTS. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER. A NEW CD PLAYER WAS ORDERED AND INSTALLED.*AK

SUN ROOF STICKING DURING OPENING.CLOSE OPERATION; VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO DEALER AND INTERMITTENT OPERATION WAS VERIFIED; FAULTY SUN ROOF SWITCH WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM; NEW SWITCH WAS ORDERED AND INSTALLED. *AK AT THE SAME TIME, THE COOLANT LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND OFF; NO LEAKS FOUND; PROBLEM NEVER IDENTIFIED

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON; TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER; FOUND A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER MONITOR SENSOR; ORDERED PART (10/02/03) TOOK VEHICLE IN AGAIN ABOUT A WEEK LATER TO HAVE NEW SENSOR INSTALLED, AND AN ENGINE OIL LEAK WAS FOUND; RACK AND PINION UNIT WAS LEAKING; UNIT WAS REPLACED, AND WAS STILL FOUND TO BE LEAKING SO A THIRD UNIT WAS INSTALLED (10/14/03). *AK